digitrax zephyr question

[Anonymous]

Im gonna buy a DCC system. im torn between MRC's prodigy and digitrax zephyr. With the prodigy, you can select an adress and get the train running, and when you switch addresses the train keeps running at the same speed. with the zephyr do this too?

[AntonioFP45]

JPM,

Why don't you contact Digitrax? You can call them or e-mail them. Check out their upgraded webside www.Digitrax.com

I'm not a DCC expert but I've been doing my research and talking to owners. This is only my opinion, but it seems that as far as ease of operation, expandability, and trouble free operation, Digitrax is the way to go. I've decided to get a Zephyr myself. In addition to DCC, I'm also getting into DCC sound (Soundtraxx).

[Anonymous]

The answer to your question is yes. This can be a blessing and a curse: a blessing because you don't always have to have the locomotive called up on your controller; a curse when you have a small layout and only one controller (one person, one machine)[:)] One of these days I will need to get a handhold controller and have my dad help me run the layout.
Reed

[Anonymous]

JPM335, Yes, you can run multiple engines at the same time with the Zephyr. I have one and do this regularly. The Zephyr is expandable. I also have a DT300 throttle and can run three trains easily. One from the Zephyr and two from the DT300 and it is easy to switch back and forth. All of Digitrax's equipment and products can be added to the Zephyr, too.

[simon1966]

I run a Zephyr and have run 4 trains at once. One controlled by the unit itself, 2 controlled by the Jump ports, and one controlled from my PC using a Locobuffer 2 serial to PC interface. The Jump ports are a great feature of the Zephyr. You can use 2 old DC power packs to control 2 more DCC equipped locomotives. I use and old dual controller MRC tech 2 for this feature. The great thing abiout the Zephyr is how you can add to it and build a very comprehensive DCC control system in the future. I was able to get one of the DT400 throttles cheap from e-bay and have ordered an Infra red receiver so that I get wireless walk around capability. Will likely add another booster soon as well to provide more power as I bring a new section of the layout on line. Have fun,

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by simon1966

I run a Zephyr and have run 4 trains at once. One controlled by the unit itself, 2 controlled by the Jump ports, and one controlled from my PC using a Locobuffer 2 serial to PC interface. The Jump ports are a great feature of the Zephyr. You can use 2 old DC power packs to control 2 more DCC equipped locomotives. I use and old dual controller MRC tech 2 for this feature. The great thing abiout the Zephyr is how you can add to it and build a very comprehensive DCC control system in the future. I was able to get one of the DT400 throttles cheap from e-bay and have ordered an Infra red receiver so that I get wireless walk around capability. Will likely add another booster soon as well to provide more power as I bring a new section of the layout on line. Have fun,

Simon1966:
I realize that the infared is cheaper then the radio control but the radio is so much better. If you can get out of your purchase or upgrade to the radio you'll be much better off. The infared is line of sight and if someone in standing in front of the receiver when your command is given, the command will not be received by the controller and the loco keeps doing what ever it was doing. If you decide to keep the infared mount it close to the ceiling so you don't have obsticles (SP) in the way of the receiver. We also found out that mirrors will change the infared direction, so we mounted a big convex mirror in the corner of the room. It was a store security mirror. When we (the club) went to radio we were amazed at how much simpler it was. My train room is 13' X 15' and I have one radio receiver and it covers the whole room, and you can also run a train from the ajoining room.

JPM335:
I don't know about Prodigy, but I do know about Digitrax and I like the way that you can build on what you already have. What they produce today is compatiable with what they built 10 years ago.

Have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob

[Anonymous]

Between the Zephyr and the Prodigy, there is no contest. The Zephyr is a far superior system, supporting 4 digit addressing, expandability, computer interfaces, advanced consisting, RF and IR throttles, and so much more than the prodigy. If you want to compare to another low-end unit, look at the Atlas Master, the Prodigy is functional, but has little to no upgradability apart from supporting 4 throttles.

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mykroft

Between the Zephyr and the Prodigy, there is no contest. The Zephyr is a far superior system, supporting 4 digit addressing, expandability, computer interfaces, advanced consisting, RF and IR throttles, and so much more than the prodigy. If you want to compare to another low-end unit, look at the Atlas Master, the Prodigy is functional, but has little to no upgradability apart from supporting 4 throttles.

Good! Thanks for that info! I wasn't even aware of these factors.

Cheers!

[simon1966]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TEFFY

Simon1966:
I realize that the infared is cheaper then the radio control but the radio is so much better. If you can get out of your purchase or upgrade to the radio you'll be much better off. The infared is line of sight and if someone in standing in front of the receiver when your command is given, the command will not be received by the controller and the loco keeps doing what ever it was doing.

Thanks for the suggestion Bob. Based on input from the Digitrax group I am planning to put the UR90 in the middle of my train room mounted on the cieling. My room is not all that large and aside from my 2 boys, there will never be any other folks in the room. The location for the IR reciever is over a peninsula (Unbuilt as of now[:)]) so I am confident I will not have the line of sight issues.